Category:People -> Industrialist
John Davison Rockefeller, Sr. (July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937) was an American industrialist who played a prominent role in the early oil industry with the founding of Standard Oil (ExxonMobil is the largest of its descendants). Over a forty-year period, Rockefeller built Standard Oil into the largest company in the world, and was for a time the richest man in the world. His business career was controversial; he was accused of being a monopolist and was bitterly attacked by muckraking journalists. However, he spent his last forty years primarily focused on philanthropic pursuits, including education and public health. He eventually gave away about half of his wealth, and by the time he died his reputation was quite benign. Since his death, he has become an icon of American capitalism. He was a devout Northern Baptist and supported many church activities throughout his life.
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